Method of and apparatus for generating motive power



2 Sheets-Sheet 1V.

(No Model.)

F. C. ROMKEY. MPPHUD. oP AND APPARATUS POP, GPNPPATING MOTIVP POWER.

Pantenecg Jan. Z6

W/TNESSES:

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I'. C. .ROMKEY MBTHGD OP AND APPARATUS POR GENERATING MOTIVP POWER. No. 467,834. .NPatented Jan. 26, 1892.

WW2' ff Jff' N/NVENTO? ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK C. ROMKEY, OF TOLEDO, OIIIO.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING MOTIVE POWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 467,834, dated January 26, 1892. Application filed March Z7, 1891. Serial No. 386,656. (No model.)

"economically generating motive power from oil, gas, and water for driving engines or other motors, and also for other purposes.

The method consists in compressing and mixing air with aliquid fuel-such as oil-in an air-compressor, then forcing this mixture under pressure into a burner in which it is burned, then passing the products of combustion into water to generate steam,and to mix I the latter with the products of combustion.

The apparatus consists, principally, of a boiler connected with a water-supply and a burner, and a compressor for forcing a mixture of air and oil or gas into the said burner to be burned, the products of combustion passing into the said boiler.

lThe invention also consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the same, as will be hereinafter fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to beh-ad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the iigures.

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of the improvement. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan View of the same on the line 5c fr of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the compressor with parts in section. Fig. et is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the inlet-valve for the compressor. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the outlet or discharge valve of the compressor. Fig. G is an enlarged sectional side elevation ot' the burner. Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the peep-hole of the Afurnace. Fig. 8 is a sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the horizontal boiler on the line g/ y of Fig.l lt), and Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of the horizontal boiler.

The improved apparatus for generating motive Apower is provided with an air-compressor A, having a compressor proper A', actuated from the engine A2, connected by a pipe A3 with the boiler B, so that the motive power generated in the said boiler B is utilized for driving the engine A2 of the said compressor. The upper end of the boiler is provided with the usual outlet-pipe B for conducting the generated motive power to the engine or other motor to be driven, or to conduct the motive power to other apparatus on which it may be used.

The compressor A proper is provided at each end with an inlet-valve C, held in the inlet-pipe O, opening into the outer air by a branch pipe O2, and into this branch pipe opens the oil-feed pipe D, provided with a valve D and supporting an adjustable collar D2, arranged near the branch pipe C2, so as to regulate the amount of air passing into the said branch pipe and inlet-pipe O. The oilfeed pipe D connects with an oil-pump D3, arranged at one side of the compressor A', as is plainly shown in Fig. 2, the 'said oil-pump being connected bya suction-pipe D'1 with a suitable source of oil-supply. In the oil-feed pipe D is arranged an air-chamber D5, as is plainly shown in` Fig. 3, and serving to insure a regular'feed in the pipe D. In the compressor A proper are also arranged the discharge-valves E, connected with a discharge-pipe E', containing a check-valve E2, (see Fig. 6,) and connected with the bent pipe F of the burner proper, the said bent pipe being formed with a contracted conical end F', opening into the mouth-piece G of the furnace G, which latter is formed by a closed vessel arranged in or near theboiler B and containing in its upper end a valve G2, opening into the said boiler.

The amount of the mixture of oil and air passing through the contracted end F of the burner is regulated by a valve F2, conically shaped, as shown in Fig. 6, and formed on a valve-stem F3, screwing in an odset in the bent pipe F. On the outer end of this valvestem F3 is heldabevelgear-wheel F4, in mesh with a bevel gear-wheel F5, secured onashaft F6, mounted to turn in suitable bearings secured on the pipes F and E. (See Fig. l.)

On the shaft F6 is arranged a crank-disk F7, connected by a pitman Fs with the free end of the lever H of a diaphragm .l-I, connected with the upper end of the boiler B. The said IOO 5 actuated in the usual manner from the pressure within the boiler B to open or close the feed-valve A4 to regulate the speed of the aircompressor. The said diaphragm H, by its connection with the shaft F3, turns the latter 1o sc that a rotary motion is imparted to the valve-stem F3, which thus screws in or out of the bent pipe Frso that thevalve F2 regulates the supplyof the mixture of oiland air to the conical end Ff of the burner.

In the boiler B, directly above the furnace G,A is arranged a distributing-disk I, formed with perforations and with downvvardlyex.- tending legs I', supported on lugs I2, secured on theinside of the boiler-shell. Lugs I4 are 2o adapted' to engage the top of the distributingdisk I, so as to prevent displacement of the latter Within the. boiler.

, In order tc conveniently insert the dis,- tributingfdisk I between the lugs I2 and I4,

the said disk is formed with notches I3 in its periphery, through which the lugs I2 can pass in inserting the disk in its` proper place, after which the disk is turned, as shown in Fig. 2, until. the notches are out of register with said 3o lugs` and legs I rest on the lugs I2, as.

shown.

On the top of the disk I is. arranged anagitator or scraper J, preferably curved, as indicatedin Fig. 2, and held onna vertically--a-rlllgcd shaft J', having its lower bearing in thedisk I and4 its upper bearing in at-stuffingbox arranged in the top of the boiler B. The lower end of the shaft J limitsthe upward or opening, movement of the valve G2. The

4o outer. end of the, shaft J is provided. with a bevel. gear-Wheel J2, in mesh with a. bevel gear-wheel J3, secured on a shaft J 4, mounted tor turn in suitable. bearings on the top of the boiler B, and. providedy with a hand-wheel J 3 for conveniently turning the said shaft J 4 so as to impart a. rotary motion to the shaft J to move the agitator J over the distributingdisk I to remove any sediment or other impurities which may have settled on the said 5o distributing-disk.

In one side of, the boiler-shell of the boiler is arranged a hand-hole B2 of any approved construction, serving to enable the operator to get at the disk I and the valve G2 Whenever necessary.

The boiler B is provided with a water-feed pipe. K', containing a valve K and leading toa. pump K2, arranged on the compressor A opposite the oil-pump D3. (See Fig. 2.) The 6o pump K2 is connected by a suction-pipe K3 theouter end of the pipe N.

which screw the nuts KG and K7, adapted to be alternately engaged by the cross-head A6 of the air-compressor A. The said cross-head A6 is also adapted to engage alternately nuts D7 and D3, screwing on the threaded end of the piston-rod D3 of the oil-pump D3. By adjusting the nuts K3 K7 and D7 D3, more or less stroke can be given to the water-feed pump K2 and the oil-pump D3, respectively.

In order to ccnvenientlyignite the gaseous mixture issuing from the contracted nozzle .F, an igniting-pipe L is provided extending through the shell of the boiler B into the furnace G, asV is plainly shown in Fig. l. The outer end of the pipe L is adapted to be closed by a plug. L', held on the endv of a screw-rod L2, provided with a hand-wheel L3 for conveniently sc-rewing the said screw-rod L2 in the U-shaped frame L4,p.ivoted on piv-` otsjL3, secu-red on the outer end of the pipeL, By screwing the screw-r-od L2 outward until the plug L disengages the outer end of the pipe L, the frame L4 is free to swing to one side,tu-rning onthe pivots L3, so that the opening of the pipe Lis clear, and a torchorother suitable ignitor may beinserted through the pipe L into the furnace Gto ignite the gaseous mixture contained therein. Vhen this has been accomplished, the pipe L is again closed by the plug L.

In order to. enable the operator to conveniently examine the burning of the fuel in the furnace G, a peep-hole N is provided, formed IOO by a pipe N', screwing in the shell of the boiler Band in the shell of the furnace G. (See Figs. l, "7, and 8.) In the inner end. of the pipe N screws a collar N2, on which rests a transparent or a translucent plate N3, formed of glass or mica, andonthe outer edge ofthis `plate abuts a collar N4, also held in the pipe N', andon this collar rests a second plate N3, similar to the first-named plate N3, and then another collar N3 is applied, and so on, a series of transparent or translucent plates N3 being arranged in the pipe N. On the collar N4 of the outermost or last transparent or translucent plate-N3 rests a iiexible gasket N3, on which abuts a. thick glass disk N3, held in place by a threaded collar N7, screwing in The several disksN3in the pipe N are sufficiently strong to withstand all theheat from the burner F, at the same time enabling the operator to examine the burning of the fuel in the furnace G.

If it is desired to use gas instead of oil,va

gas-supply pipe Q is provided having a valve O and-leading into the pipe D at or near. the branch pipe G2 of the air-compressor A. The

-valve D is then closed and the oil-pump D3 is stopped, the nuts D7 and D.8 being removed from the threaded end ofr the piston D3 of the said oil-pump. Ifdesired, the gas may also be directly introduced into the burner by a.

P for regulating the amount of gas permitted to pass under pressure to the burner. The oil may also be directly introduced from the pump D3 into the burner by a branch pipe Q, leading from the pipe D into the bent pipe F, as is plainly indicated in Fig. l. regulate the amount of oil passing from the oil-pu mp to the burner, a valve Q is provided in the said pipe Q. In case a horizontal boiler is employed instead of the vertical boiler shown in Fig. l, the boiler is made as illustrated in Figs. 9 and lO.

The furnace G is arranged either in or near the boiler B, and its valve G2 opens into a pipe R, extending longitudinally in the lower part of the said boiler B. The pipe Ris provided with perforations, through which the products of combustion pass into the boiler B underneath the perforated plate I, which is arranged longitudinally, as shown in Figs. 9 and l0. The scraper or agitator J is a transverse bar held on a rod J, passing through a stuhing-box in one end of the boiler, the outer end of the rod JG, being formed with a handle to enable the operator to conveniently move the agitator J forward and backward over the perforated distributin g-plate I.

The operation is as follows: In starting the generator the valves in the suction-pipes K3 and D4 (see Fig. are elosed,so that neither water nor oil is pumped into the air-compressor by the pumps K2 and D3, respectively. The valve A7 in the supply-pipe A3 of the engine of the air-compressor is then opened, so that the motive agent from the boiler B,

' which contains about, say, fifty pounds pressure, starts the air-compressor, whereby air is compressed and discharged into the boiler B to compensate for the amount of motive agent taken out for running the air-compressor A. The valve in the suction -pipe D4 is then opened, so that the oil-pump D3 pumps oil into the pipe D, from which it passes into the inlet-pipe C of the compressor A', the oil being completely' atomized and mixed with the air drawn in through the branch C2 of the said inlet-pipe C. By the action of the compressor A the oil is completely atomized and evaporated by the heat of compression, so as to thoroughly mix with the air, the mixture being discharged through the valves E into outlet-pipe E', from which the mixture passes past the check-valve E2 into the bent pipe F of the branch tube to finally discharge through the nozzle F into the furnace G,in which the mixture is ignited by a suitable torch inserted through the open pipe L, as previously described. As soon as the mixture is ignited the pipe L is again closed. The valve AT in the inlet-pipe A3 of the engine of the air-com` pressor is now fully opened, so that the aircompressor runs at full speed. As soon as the pressure of the products of combustion in the furnace G becomes greater than the pressure in the boiler the valve Gr2 will open and allow the het products of combustion to y" escape into the boiler directly into the water.

In order to prevent the products of combustion from passing straight up into the water to the upper part of the boiler B, the distributing-disk I is provided, which divides the products of combustion so that the latter thoroughly mingle with the water in the boiler. As the distributing plate or disk I does not extend close to the inner surface of the boilershell, the water can freely pass down over the edge of the plate, so as to insure complete circulation of the water at the time the products of combustion pass through and mix with the water and thereby carry the water upward at or near the middle of the boiler B. By thus nally dividing the products of combustion by the plate I the water readily absorbs the heat and is thereby quickly turned into steam, the latter mixing with the remaining products of combustion. The motive agent thus generated can be drawn olf from the boilerB through the pipe B. The continuous stream of Water is forced into the boiler B through the pipe K, connected with the pump K2, actuated simultaneously with the compressor A and the oilpump D3. The correct proportion of the liquid fuel relative to the air pumped by the compressor and necessary for perfect coinbustion in the furnace G is regulated by the stroke of the oil-pump, which measures out the exact quantity required after each stroke of the air-compressor. As the air-compressor is double-acting and the oil-pump is singleacting, the latter has to pump a quantity suf- Iicient for both strokes of the compressor. In order that each stroke of the compressor shall receive one-half of the oil pumped by each stroke of the pump, the chamber D5 is provided, as previouslydescribed, and illustrated in Fig. 3, the said chamber containing compressed air, which forces the oil in a steady and equal stream into the branch pipe C2 of the inlet-pipe C. The stroke of the oil-pump D3 is regulated by the nuts Dand DS, as previously explained.

If itis desired not to pump the oil to the aircompressor inlet-pipe c', then the valve D' is closed and the valve Q in the branch pipe Q is opened. The oil now flows directly from the oil-pump D3 through the branch pipe Q into the bent pipe F of the branch to be atom- IOO IIO.

ized therein bythe compressed air passing through the said pipe. The water-pump K2 is used for three purposes, the principal one being to supply Water to the boilerB, as above described; but it is also used to reduce the heat of compression above that required to evaporate the fuel, and finally the pump serves for reducing the temperature of the furnace either by allowing the pump-Water to go through the air-compressor by opening the valve K9 in the branch pipe K or by throwing a spray of water directly into the furnace.

It is understood that whatever water is evaporated in the furnace need not be evaporated in the boiler, as the amount of water that goes into the boiler or air-compressor is regulated by the valves K and K9. It is further understood that the strolreof the pump tity: of gaseous: mixture isy passed: into the furinace GP, sothatless: motivel power is generated until the amount of motive power used and: drawn off byY the pipe E has'v reducedy the! pressure in thebolerto` a normali pressure'.

InV order izo-prevent azreacti'on of the pressurejof the, burnin-g gasesY in therfurnace Grl relativetotherein-compressor,the'check-vailve: E2 isprovidedgwhich seats itsel-f in case. the:

pressure: in. the burner andfurnacef G is' greater than the'force ofthe air-compressor.`

I dofnot limit myself' to any' particular oifl; as

a. fuel such` as petroleum, crude oil1,kerosen'e, gasoline, and all similar kindsof inflammable liquids may be;` used.

In casefit isdesired to operate the Aapparat-us' with gasinstead of oil',y the oil-pump iszdisconnected and the valves- DV and Q closed and, the valveO' opened,sothat the gas-passing through, the pipe'- O passes into-the air-inlet pipe C of the air-compressor to'be mixed.l with the air,.the mixture being forcedunder pressure'byV the compressor to the burner toy bebu'rned inV the furnace G in the mannerY above described- Having thus fully described'my invention', I'

claim asnew and desire'tol secure by Letters Patent.-

l. The methodof generating' motive power, consisting in firstA introducing air and hydrocarbon or liquid fuel into a compressor togetlier, mixing the same therein by compression, then discharging the compressed'mix.- ture to a point of combustiony and burning the same, andflnally discharging theprOduCts of combustion into-Water to. generate steam, substantially as Set forth..

2'. In an` apparatus for generating motive power, the. combination, with a boiler, of a furnace provided with a valve adapted to open into the said boiler, a hydrocarbon-burner connectedWitli-the said furnace, a compressor for forcing combustible mixture into the said burner and provided with' an air-inlet, and-an'oil-pump operating with the said com*- pressor and serving to discharge the oil into the air-inlet of thev said compressor for mix,- ture with they air by compression, substantially as shown and described.

3. In an apparatus for generating motive power, the combination, with a boiler, of a' furnace provided with a valve adapted to open intoA the said boiler, a hydrocarbonburner connected with the said furnace, a compressor' for forcing a: combustibleV mixture into the said burner and provided with an air-inlet,

gan; oil-pumpoperating with the saidcomlpressor and? serving to discharge theoil into thezair-inletof th'ef said compressor for mixture withthe air by compression, and a pump alsooperating simultaneously with the said compressor and serving to discharge Water into the' said boiler, substantially asl shown anddescribed.

In an apparatus for generating motive power, the combination, Witlr av boiler, off a furnace' containing a valve adapted to open into the said boiler, a burn-er for burning a combustible mixtureinV the said furnace, a

compressor for forcing the said combustible mixture into. the' said burner tobefb-urned in- 'gthe said furnace, anda valve in4 the outlet enldf of the burner for regulating the amount llof combustible: mixture burnedl inthe said burner, said valve being controlled by the pressurev of the: motive agenty in the said boil er, substantially asshow'n and described.

5; In an` apparatus-i forv generating motive ipower, thefcombination, With a boiler, of a ,furnace containing a valve adapted to open intoJthe said boiler, af burner for burning aY combustible. mixture in the said. furnace, a `compressor for: forcingr thesai'd combustibley niixture into the said burner to be burned-in 1 the sai'dfurnace, a diaphragm connectedfvwit'h l:the said boiler, a valve held in thezsaidbulrn er,1and a second valvefhel'd in. the' inlet`-pipe y, of the said compressor, the said valvesibeing automatically controlled from the said' dialphi'agm, s-.ubstantia'llyfas shownl an d-described.

6; In an apparatus for generating motive `fpowenthe combination, with aboiler, of a` :furnace containing a valveadaptedf toI open into the said boiler, ai. burner for burning: ai fcombustible mixta-rein the said' furnace, a compressor for forcing the saidf combustible 5 mixture intothe said burner torbeA burned in the said furnace, adiaphragm connectedwith thev said boiler, a valve heldin the saidburner, a second valve held in the inlet-pipe' of the saidy compressor, t-he saidivalves being` .automatically controlled from the said' diaphragm, andlcheck-valvesheld in saidburner, substantially asid'escribed.

7. Inlan apparatusforgenerating motive lpower, thecombination, with a boiler', of a furnace provided WithA an outlet-valve openF ing intoythe saidiboileigand a perforated distributing plate ordisk held inthe said boiler above'the saidivalve, substantially as shown andi described.

S. l'n an apparatus for generating motive power, the combination, with a boiler,'.ofY a furnace. provided' Withk an outlet-valve opening. into the'said boiler, a perforatedV distributing platel or disk held in the said boiler abovethe said. valve, and an agitator or scraper arranged on topof the said distribut ing-plate and adapted to be moved. thereon, substantially as shown andfdescribed'.

9. In-an apparatus for generatingv motive power, the combination, with a boiler, ofv a furnace in the bottom thereof provided with IOO IIO

an outlet-valve opening into the said boiler, a hydrocarbon-burner connected with the bottom of the said furnace, and a peep-hole opening extending through the boiler into the said furnace above the burner and comprising a pipe, and a series of spaced translucent or transparent disks or pla-tes held in the said pipe between spacing and retaining collars, substantially as shown and described.

10. The combination,with the boiler having a valved combustion chamber discharging therein, of series of upper and lower lugs on the inner side walls of the boiler, and a perfoi-ated plate having notches in its edges, the lower lugs supporting the plate when its notches are out of register therewith, substantially as set forth.

ll. The combination, with the boiler and the combustion chamber or furnace having a valve opening into the boiler to discharge the products of combustion therein, of a burnertube entering said chamber or furnace, a compression-cylinder provided with a piston and having its outlet connected with the burnertube, and means for supplying oil to the compression-cylinder for vaporization and mixture with the air by said piston before being delivered to the burner-tube, substantially as set forth.

l2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination, with the compressorcylinder provided with a piston,inletvalves at the endsof the cylinder, a pipe connecting said valves and provided with a central airinlet, and the outlet-valves at the ends of the cylinder having a connecting-tube, of an oilsupply pipe discharging into the said central airfinlet, 'substantially as set forth.

l. The combination, with the boiler, the combustion chamber or furnace provided with a valve opening iutothe boiler and aburnertube entering the said chamber or furnace, of a compression-cylinder provided with outlets in its ends discharging into the burner-tube, inlet-valves in the cylinder ends, a tube connecting said inlet-valves and having a central air-inlet, an oil and awater pump at the sides of the compressor and operated from its piston-rod, a pipe leading from the oil-pump to the said air-inlet, and a water-pipe leading from the other pump to the boiler, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination, with the boiler, the valved combustion-chamber, and the burner, of the compressor delivering to the burnertube and having an air-inlet, a pipe O, entering said airinlet and having a valve O', a pump having a water-pipe K, leading to the boiler and having a valve K', a valved branch pipe KS, leading to the pipe O, and the valved oil-supply pipe D, leading from an oil-pump to the pipe O, substantially as set forth.

FRANK C. ROMKEY. XVitnesses:

WILLIAM voN BEHREN, OTTO AUGSBACH. 

